New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs will not resign, despite festering dissention within the Progressive Conservative Party he helms, and intends to seek another mandate in 13 months, he affirmed on social media.
“I recognize that all New Brunswickers rightly expect a government to be unified and focussed on achieving better outcomes for the province.”
“It is extremely important that we continue to build on this momentum,” his statement continued.
New Brunswick’s next election is on Oct. 21, 2024.
In spite of New Brunswick’s propitious economic conditions, Mr. Higgs was challenged late last month from within his own party by a cadre of MLAs. But they fell short of meeting the party’s numerical threshold for triggering a leadership review, and he was able to hold onto the party’s reins.
The row stemmed from revisions to Policy 713, established on Aug. 17, 2020, regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
While some MLAs in the party took umbrage with the move, an undaunted Mr. Higgs countered that he was championing parental rights.
“Policy 713 will stay, and if anything, it will be strengthened because it will have better support from parents who will have greater clarity around sections that are vague and causing confusion,” the release said.
